Compilation of Short Stories

Patient Hearts

A story that will make you realize, "Love is worth the wait".

Author's note: the story was actually inspired by a friend's story about the movie she watched (Hannenie❤) and the twist was all in my imagination. I hope you guys love this 💋

Special thanks to Paloma Pretty 😚 and Kasoy for checking my grammar 🙌

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"I'm not really fond of rocks. I'm only keeping this rock because my brother gave this to me" he honestly told me. I almost faint in embarrassment but he smiled and appreciated the rock I gave him.

It was summer 1998 when I first saw him. He was helping his mom carrying their luggage while holding a weird rock. Gross! That was my first impression of him, denying the thought that he was cute. Those green eyes, contagious smile and red lips gave me a weird feeling on my stomach. It felt that there was something brought to life. We became friends when I gave him the rock on his 10th birthday.

From then on, he was that guy who misses his brother, but not when I'm around. He was that guy I used to lean on when I have a problem. He was that guy who makes me smile though I am in pain. He was that cheesy guy who used to tell me jokes that made me laugh hard not because it's funny but because of how corny it is. Indeed, he is my best friend.

That status change when he confessed something to me on my 15th birthday. I was in my beautiful white dress and wearing a light make up, excited to have a dinner with him. I was surprised when he kneeled down, crying, and told me he loves me. That was the moment I've been waiting for, the moment I've been wishing on a wishing star. To love and be loved by someone. Our months together were so sweet, full of love and promises. I was already seeing our future. He's gonna be the first person I'm gonna see when I wake up in the morning and I will be cooking him his favorite lasagna and together will eat it under the moon.

But all of it was only temporary. Nothing really lasts forever. Promises are always meant to be broken. They moved back to States when I turned 17. I cried, fearing that I might lose him. I cried because there are bunch of girls there who are beautiful, smart and sexy, unlike me, a nerdy, ugly dove. He promised he'd come back to me and that's what I'm holding on to for almost 10 years.

Now, he's back. The man I love. He looks so happy, but sadly, I'm no longer the reason why. He slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and before giving his homily, our eyes met. We stared at each other for a moment. Our moment. I scanned him again for one last time, those green eyes now with his eyeglass, formed jaw, pointed nose and kissable lips but something's missing. Something has changed. His love for me. He cleared his throat and looked away. How could he act normally? That's it? No more feelings for me? What happened to his promise? What happened to the "Promise, I'm going back"? Foolish heart, foolish promise, foolish hope, foolish man who broke my heart this hard. I cried not because of how he told us "Jesus is our Savior" but because I know there will be no more chance for both of us to be together again. He can no longer find his way back to me. Life is so unfair, to me, he's my world but to him, I'm just a continent. The mass had ended and I stood there, still dumbfounded. My knees began to tremble when he walked towards me. I want to tie his neck using nylon or throw him in the Pacific Ocean where sharks could eat him pieces by pieces, burn his soul alive, cut his fingers or shave his skin but I know to myself that I can't. I can't because I love him. I can't because killing him is like killing myself.

He calls me by my name now, but he used to call me beautiful and I call him weirdo before. I cried harder. He is really no longer my man. What if I followed him in States? Will he still be the man I am seeing now?

"L-Lina?" his voice is rough, unlike before, he had this comforting voice that you would always love to hear. I just looked at him, showing him I am so much in pain so he shouldn't gave me that assuring smile. I will never be okay.

"I heard about yo--"

"whoah? Good for you. You heard about me while I was silently, patiently, innocently hope that you, my prince charming would return" I strongly throw those words at him but he just gave me that confused look.

"Liste--"

"I got it already! You broke your promise. Y-you broke my h-heart. Thank you for making me wait. Thank your making me believe that there is forever" my voice cracked.

"L-lina? There is forever in Go--"

"Oh c'mon don't give me that crap" I shouted.

I can no longer take it. I sprinted as fast as I can to run away from that church, to run away from him. I heard him calling my name but I just ignored it. Suddenly, I accidentally bumped in to someone. A bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates scattered on the floor. My head hurts, but it's nothing compared to the pain I am feeling in my heart. Seeing the chocolates and the ruined flowers embarrassed me. My eyes were still on the floor, unable to move a muscle.

"S-orry I- w-as in a h-hurry." I stuttered.

I slowly looked up at the person. He had green eyes, a contagious smile and a rock. He spoke when he noticed I was stunned seeing the rock he's holding.

"I'm not really fond of rocks but someone special gave this to me on my 10th birthday" he playfully said.

My eyes widen in embarrassment not because of the rock that captured my eyes together with the flowers and chocolates but on the words I harshly said on his twin brother. I looked at him in the eye; love indeed is worth the wait.